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Cameroon: Human rights developments during the first half of 1991

Despite the releases of over 100 political prisoners in March and April 1991 and promises of multi-party elections, Amnesty International (AI) remains concerned that government critics continue to be harassed and imprisoned. Hundreds of people have been detained, usually for short periods. Many of the arrests were made during violent protests but others appear to have been arrested for peaceful opposition to the government. AI is also concerned about new laws which, in effect, retain or introduce repressive measures. Cases of political arrests in 1991 include: Pius Njawe, Celestin Monga of the newspaper Le Messager; Benjamin Zebaze of Challenge Hebdo; Dutch journalist Vincent Tsas; and opposition leaders Mboua Massock, Victorin Hameni Bieleu and Nsame Mbogo.